If you have received Centrelink benefits between the date of the accident and the resolution of your common law claim, and you recover pecuniary loss damages, (i.e. damages for lost income and impaired earning capacity) you will have to repay the amounts you have received from Centrelink. Further, depending upon the size of your damages award, you may also be ineligible to receive Centrelink benefits for a period of time in the future. Because of this, it is vitally important that recipients of TAC common law damages obtain independent, expert investment advice after resolution of the damages claim.